miss pickles press

{FAB FREEBIE!} VINTAGE INSPIRED HOLIDAY TAGS!

2010-12-23T14:06:00.000-05:00

i don't know about you, but last minute holiday helpers are always welcome. when it comes to gift giving with style, it's always nice to have some goodies on hand. pretty ribbon, punchy paper and adorable tags can really up the ante on that gift for your special someone.

speaking of adorable tags...'tis the season to give. just download these sweet little vintage-inspired numbers and get busy:

Miss Pickles Press Festive Holiday Tags

happy holidays, y'all! see you in 2011!

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH VINTAGE PACKAGING.

2010-10-12T00:49:00.000-04:00

dear friends, yes, it's true. i've been on a posting hiatus lately (what? you weren't on the edge of your seat?) because i truly only believe in posting when i feel compelled to share something absolutely great. well...that and handsome hubs and i packed up our house in august and LORD KNOWS how much moving s-t-i-n-k-s in every imaginable way. to high heavens! (oh hello, bic pen sans top, random paper clip and chewing gum wrapper under the sofa. pleased to see you again dusty nickel and three pennies under the dresser. ugh. i digress.)

it's my sincere hope that you'll be just as charmed as i am by what i'm sharing today. i was recently at a massive flea market in hillsville, virginia (oh, the people watching, but that's another post) and i had the good fortune to come across a tent filled to the brim with turn-of-the-century tobacco packaging. as a designer, i live for this sort of stuff. just look at the illustrative detail and the beautiful typography. i could go on for days about the type. and the colors! good gracious. some people might just see old junky tin boxes, but i see serious beauty and love little treasures that are reflective of a time when even a cheap box of tobacco was beautifully designed and substantially packaged.

they just don't make 'em like they used to, do they?

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS...

2010-07-31T01:48:00.000-04:00

....who am i to dis-agreeeeee?

{ahh, classic song, yes?}

i am a sucker for a beautiful bed. plush, too many pillows, down comforter, the works. but i can't stand a fussy bed that's too frilly. no crazy comforters or duvets for me. in fact, for the last 10 years or so i have pretty much insisted on a classic white down comforter with a simple white duvet cover. anything with a pattern just looks so busy to my eyes, especially when i get my pattern and color fix with (way too many) throw pillows or an extra blanket at the foot of the bed. i also love having the flexibility of changing out pillows for a completely different look. and dangit, a white duvet always looks fresh.

but.

good people, i stumbled upon this duvet from dwell studios and i literally gasped. it's gorgeous, no? enough white to keep me happy and that orangey-red-leafy-slightly-exotic-indian-inspired textile print. gaahhhhh. i really do love it. but would i tire of it? i dunno. but it's definitely tempting me out of my strictly all-white duvet policy. i mean, look at it.

as if that little dwell beauty wasn't enough, i was browsing on west elm looking for something else and found these heavenly duvets. i think the mighty buddha of bedding is trying to tell me something. gorgeous patterned duvets everywhere! on occasion, west elm can run a little too modern/geometric for my tastes, but i think these are really lovely well-designed options. despite my adoration for the dwell duvet above, i also like the idea of a neutral gray patterned duvet, and bringing in pops of color with pillows. that little orange octagon number is pretty snazzy, too. but ultimately i think that's too much small pattern for me.

what do you think? do you prefer a patterned bed cover or do you keep it clean and roll with classic white?

SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVIN'S EASY...

2010-07-22T19:00:00.004-04:00

hold on to yer hankies! can you all believe that fall clothes are already showing up in stores? i know, i know, i shouldn't really be all that surprised, after all, that's how fashion merchandising works. kind of like when the christmas lights hit the shelves before you've even passed out the halloween candy. but it's so hellishly hot down south these days that the thought of slipping into anything wooly sends me straight to a swimming pool. lawd have mercy.

while i can get on board with some cute summer clothes, for the most part, when the temps rise, i am most comfy in havaianas flops (the best), a layered tank and a cute skirt. and a killer handbag of course (its all about accessories for me). but more than clothes, ('cause truth be told i am a fall clothes gal) the things i love most about summer are the things that are effortless and easy. soon enough, we'll all be hunkered down with the colder weather and the picnics will have to wait until spring. hope you enjoy a small sampling of some of my favorite summer treats!

1. adorable huffy deluxe beach cruiser, walmart.com
2. sonic cherry limeade (is there anything better on a hot day?)
3. oilcloth flags, available from modern june. love her stuff!
4. lightweight ombre scarf, perfect for easy summer nights
5. caprese salad. i could eat this every day. really.

UMM. I'M STILL HERE. NO REALLY.

2010-05-11T23:47:00.004-04:00

{hanging head in shame}

that's right folks. the last post was from february. FEBRUARY! how is it even possible that so much time has passed? did i slip into a wormhole somewhere in the dark depths of the universe and end up on the other side in may? what can i say. high wedding season. it's been nuts, and there are so many hours in the day.

many fun lil' features on the way, but for now, just a little designer yumminess to share. while it's no secret that paper is a teensy addiction for me, i kinda sorta have a thing (you know, a thing) for journals. notebooks. folders. anything organizey and designy. i had been eyeing a cute little number from elum i saw at sam flax the last few times i've been in the store. (i have this theory that if you continue to think about an object of affection long after you've left the store, it should be yours. right?) it's just a small little luxury – not something i particularly needed per se – but i love the cloth exterior, the funky pattern, and the little colored elastic band that wraps around to save your place and ohhhh that little pocket in the back to hold small treasures. and the paper inside is actually really nice, thick paper. (life's too short for cheap paper.) there are a good number of other designs (mine is the bold floral pictured below), so there's sure to be one that catches your eye.

LONDON CALLING.

2010-02-19T23:41:00.002-05:00

no, really! we were delighted to receive a call a few months ago from an across-the-pond bride interested in custom invitations for a may 2010 wedding. not the conventional types, lauren and gareth wanted paper goods with serious punch and cheeky style. part rock-n-roll, part show poster, part vintage flair and all around awesomeness.

we printed the invitation suite on heavy chipboard stock (one of my absolute favorite papers) with a palette of rich pink, deep aqua blue and metallic silver for just a bit of rock star flash. also included was a secondary card with accommodations and other helpful wedding weekend information. both cards were bound together with soft bright aqua yarn, complete with a "wish list" registry tag (something we don't customarily do in the states for traditional etiquette reasons...but hey, when in rome...).

we were so thrilled with the results and thought you might enjoy seeing them, too. big thanks to the happy couple for letting us flex our creative muscles!

have a great weekend, everyone!

DESIGNER SHOUT OUT: JESSICA HISCHE

2010-02-07T10:41:00.004-05:00

hello friends. so, you know when you come across something that you just absolutely love and immediately want to spread the word? that spirit is what has prompted today's post. i also love spreading the designer goodness by featuring some seriously talented folks from time to time.

although i'm not sure how i didn't know about this crazy talented lady before now, i have to say i was completely bloooown away when i saw the fabulous jessica hische's work. it goes without saying that i'm a pretty hardcore type freak (most designers are) but jessica's hand done type is some of the most beautiful i have seen in i-don't-know-when. shoot. i especially love her sense of whimsy and elegant, perfectly weighted swirls that run through so many of her creations. alas, she's no one-trick-pony; her style ranges from soft n'sweet to deco/modern clean, but it's all just gorgeous. peruse below, won't you?

although most of her type has been created for special projects and ad campaigns (hello, tiffany & co.), sweet jehovah!, she does sell a few typefaces online, like the fabulously retro "buttermilk" available via veer. she's also in midst of a really nifty daily project called "daily drop cap", where she's designing a different illustrative letter of the alphabet every day. every letter has a completely different look and feel, and i believe she plans to do three alphabets in total. the coolest part is you are allowed to use these beauties as you wish in your own creative whatnots, provided it's not for commercial use. (but you wouldn't do that anyway, now would you?)

from the looks of things, the talented ms. hirsche also does illustration and other design work, which are all perfectly lovely, but it's the type that takes my breath away. hope you enjoy browsing through it as much as i do!

{all images courtesy of jessica hische, via www.jessicahische.com}

HAVE IT YOUR WAY.

2010-01-25T12:06:00.003-05:00

i ain't talkin' about a burger king whopper, friends.

miss pickles press was part of a small bridal show yesterday (which, i have to say, we never do bridal shows because it's really just not our thing, but we made an exception for this one) and my powers of super-duper observation kicked in. as i watched the brides mill around the floor, being romanced by vendor after vendor, i couldn't help but think some of the ladies were more excited about the wedding itself than the fact that they were getting married.

technically, because i am considered to be in the wedding industry, this might fly in the face of that association, but i am constantly amazed at all of the overdone hoopla that surrounds so many weddings. and really, who's to blame? from the time we are little girls we subscribe to the notion that our weddings must be perfect and magical in every way. i've seen weddings that are all about the exotic (and out-of-season...cha ching!) flowers, cakes with a gazillion tiers and flashy light shows on the dance floor. and by all means, if these things are "you" and you have always dreamed of a wedding with these things and more, then go for it, sister. but i think so many women get tricked into the notion that that's what a wedding should be, and if your wedding budget isn't supersized, then you are missing out on the fun.

some of the most beautiful weddings i have seen have also been the simplest. someone's pretty tree-filled back yard, old-fashioned white bulb lights strung from the trees, homemade cakes and pies from the groom's grandmother. creative, and often times, handmade details that just ooze personality and charm. small thoughtful touches that make guests feel special. a celebration of love and family and friends. not to say that even the most simple plans don't take some planning, but i think there's more time to focus on the real meaning of the day when you aren't so consumed with the fondant matching the bridesmaid dresses.

wear yellow (or red, or green, or blue) shoes if you want to. (i bought some killer heavenly aqua colored shoes for my wedding, and at the last minute didn't wear them, and i regret it.) buck tradition if you aren't traditional. dance down the aisle. drive away on a scooter. leave in a hot air balloon. whatever. just make sure that your day is an expression of who you are in every way, and you'll have the most perfect wedding you could have ever imagined.

{image via the brides cafe}

SANTA, BABY.

2009-12-24T09:35:00.004-05:00

merry christmas and happy holidays, dear readers!

just a short and sweet note of thanks for being such wonderful supporters of miss pickles press over this past year. we can't wait to see what 2010 brings – we have big plans in the works including a website makeover (i personally can't wait for this one) and some new paper offerings as well.

wishing each of you a happy and healthy holiday season, and a new year filled with more joy than your hearts can contain.

xoxo.

jen

p.s. that's none other than the famous miss pickles herself on santa's lap. wonder what she asked for in her stocking?

WHY PEOPLE HAVE KIDS.

2009-12-06T08:45:00.004-05:00

i could start this entry by telling everyone how utterly shamed i am at not having posted in weeks on ye olde faithful blog because of the general craziness and business of the holiday season, but i'd like to use my sunday morning brainpower to post something much better and much lower on the lame-o scale.

this past weekend miss pickles press was a vendor (along with ashley blencoe photography) at the a-dor-able christmas in crabapple festival. ashley was offering her services taking photos with santa in our gallery space, and miss pickles press was offering customized holiday photo cards to capture those timeless santa photos. families lined up at the door and we didn't stop for four hours as the moms and dads and big and little brothers and sisters filed in family-by-family. there were definitely some comical classic moments; i think most everyone i know (myself included) has a picture somewhere in the attic or a dusty photo album of themselves just absolutely losing their marbles while sitting in santa's lap. tears falling, face red and puffy, mouths agape at the horror (the horror!) of sitting on this weird red velvet-cloaked man's lap with lots of white stuff (cotton candy?!) on his face. the black boots! the ample belly! the candy canes! it's all apparently horrific for some children.

and then there's the other end of the spectrum: the absolute spellbinding magic of sitting on santa's lap. the black boots! the ample belly! the candy canes! it's almost just too much for some children to process. they look at his face in wonderment and when asked what they want for christmas, can barely squeak out "kitty cat" or "tonka truck", much less the latest wii or nintendo DS game. it's such an innocent moment. a total suspension of belief. it's years before bills or taxes or relationships or rejection or mortgage payments. it's just ponies and drum sets and those little miss baby dolls that bat their eyelashes and wee their pants when you feed them. and who doesn't like all of that?

after viewing this celebrated santa routine child-by-child today, i saw the full gamut of emotion ranging from terror to astonishment to excited-beyond-belief. but there was one emotion that was consistent and palpable – it was the unadulterated joy on the parent's faces. while most eyes were on the kiddos having their moment with santa, i made a point to watch the faces on countless moms and dads, and it was nothing. but. joy. every time. joy, joy, joy. and pride. because look at her! look at him! that's my daughter! my son! they're mine! mine all mine. nom nom nom nom nom. and it occurred to me, among many other practical and expected reasons, that THIS is why people have kids. for moments like that. they somehow make all the tantrums and antics and effort to raise good people who will contribute to the world at large, well, worth it.

now that i've been married a little over a year to handsome hubs people are starting to ask the baby question. i've never been a baby-crazy person. i mean, i like kids well enough, and we definitely want kids. kids are great. but i'm not reading "what to expect when you aren't even expecting yet" or anything like that. i think kids will happen when the timing feels right, and i'm in no particular rush, although my recent 35th birthday might suggest otherwise. however, i do know with some certainty that when that time comes, i will no doubt be one of those parents that admires her child on santa's lap, even if she spits up all over her special christmas outfit that cost way too much or pulls santa's beard clean off his face.

A STITCH IN TIME.

2009-11-12T00:51:00.008-05:00

when courtney of merriment events / little white book and janie of the bride's cafe approached miss pickles press about a cozy, home-grown "stitch in time" concept board come-to-life, i was thrilled to be included with so many ultra-talented folks in creating a totally unique and inspired shoot. the gorgeous images, shot by kellan studios on location at amber grove inn {in moseley, va} are so delightful and charming i couldn't resist posting them here. the always gracious emily of once wed was kind enough to share the feature today and i am so pleased with how everything turned out! big thanks to everyone who worked so many hours to make "a stitch in time" happen.

you can read more and see the delish eye candy here and here.

enjoy!

Vendor credits:

Styling by Courtney Spencer of Merriment Events and little white book

Flowers by Janie Medley of JM Flora and The Brides Café

Venue, Amber Grove Inn, Moseley Virginia

Photography by Kellan Studios

Paper + signs by Miss Pickles Press

Cross stitch by Chez Sucre Chez

Makeup by Erika Nixon of Makeup on Demand

Leather chairs by Moore and Giles Inc.

Headpiece by Lyndzee Ellsworth of EP Love Photography

Jill’s clothing provided by Need Supply Company

Yarn from The Yarn Lounge

PUNCHY PIN-UP!

2009-11-11T01:10:00.003-05:00

i have a thing for pin-up girls. no, not that kind of thing, (not that there's anything wrong with that kind of thing)...but i just think they are so retro-tastic and gorgeous. i love the playful mix of naughty and nice, the dichotomy of "come hither" and "gosh darnit, i've torn my stockings again!".

imagine my total and complete delight when offbeat and funky bride-to-be tiphany approached miss pickles press about some vintage glamour-puss paper goods for her nuptials to jamie in santa barbara. well, hello! i mean, do you see her yellow chuck taylors? her perfectly frilly tea-length dress? (i love tea length.) she looks like a pin-up girl herself.

not only were the lovely couple such a pleasure to work with, but their sense of adventure and just general go-with-the-flow, creative outlook made designing some stand-out pieces a true joy. i especially loved the pin-up table numbers (a different gal for each table). we also created punchy menus, custom jam labels and seating cards, too. thought i'd post just a few of my favorites from their big day. enjoy!

ALL HAIL HALLOWEEN.

2009-10-30T13:42:00.009-04:00

Hands down, Halloween is my most favorite holiday. Christmas? Yeah, it's pretty darn good. But HALLOWEEN! Oh, it has no rivals in the holiday world. I anticipate Halloween like a child - planning my costume WEEKS (sometimes months) ahead of time. It's huge fun for me to run here and there around town piecing together the perfect knock-'em-dead ensemble. There is something magical and freeing about dressing in costume, even if just for one night. Have you ever noticed Halloween parties are the most fun of the year? People are friendlier, goofier, funnier. Costumes allow people to let their guards down and be someone else for a while, and that's serious fun. After all, I'm not me, I'm a magnificent lion tamer and you've been a very naughty lion! (Whip it good.) I instictively think others who don't dress up are somehow missing the boat. Who says that just because you pay taxes and go to work every day means that you can't be a chesty nurse for one night?

I have memories of trick-or-treating with my brother when we were little. We would take a pillowcase off of our beds and hit the streets in search of the good houses. We avoided the ones that gave pencils or Sunmaid raisin packets and apples. I don't want yer stinkin' fruit. I want sugary, chocolatey, insulin-overloading, teeth-rotting CANDY. My brother and I would return home with half of a pillowcase full of deliciousness. We'd go to his room and stand in the middle of the room, and dump our respective booties out in the middle of the floor. We'd hover over our candy like pirates over a treasure chest. After grouping and organizing by brand and size, we'd enter into a very complicated barter system. For example, one Butterfinger would be worth two or three snack size M&Ms packs. Snicker bars were really high up. So were Reese's cups and Three Musketeers. The middle of the road were Smarties and Sweet Tarts and Jolly Rancher sticks. The bottom of the barrell were those peanut butter taffy things in the orange and black wax wrappers, and maybe Double Bubble. You could barely trade for anything with those, and it was a bold move to try and get something as good as a Milky Way with them.

After the bartering was done, (this could take hours) I would pour the contents of my winnings into a blue and white speckled melamine mixing bowl. I would stash said bowl under my bed and eat candy for at least a week. I seriously remember eating Halloween candy first thing in the morning - right out of bed. Delish. After about a week or so, the only remnants left would be the bottom-dwellers; candy that had worked it's way out of the wrapper, raisin packs or pennies. (Who gives pennies for Halloween? The same people who turn their porch lights off, that's who.)

Ah, the memories. I just can't let go, and suspect I never will, of the fun and festivity of Halloween. Long live. What are you dressing up as this year?

CATCHIN' UP.

2009-10-23T14:52:00.008-04:00

oooohh, happy friday y'all. even if i have work to accomplish over the weekend (like most weekends) i still love the sweet feel of friday. it's like the big collective sigh at the end of a hard worked week.

it's been a sweet week for miss pickles press in blogville. first up: a cool little feature via kirei nest called locale lovelies. nicole ossola, the lovely author behind this fresh inspiration blog chooses her favorite designers to put together chic hostess baskets representing the cities they are from. when nicole asked me to put together a basket for georgia, i was so excited to share some of the greatest little treats and sweets from the south. you can also download free "georgia" printables here. enjoy!

the second little bit of pickle goodness came via style me pretty in the form of the charming wedding feature of jamie and bryan, who were married at claxton farm in beautiful asheville, NC, this summer. (i love asheville and am a mountain mama at heart.) you can see the feature here, here and here. the homegrown details are to die for – captured by quirky and always delightful our labor of love – and miss pickles press was so thrilled to be a part of the big day. it's so rewarding to see all the details (both big and small) come together.

images via our labor of love.

BIG NEWS!

2009-10-10T12:19:00.004-04:00

greetings, love doves! i'm back from a week in the florida keys (good times, good times) where handsome hubs and i celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. what a trip: massive infusions of pina coladas, scooters, sunset sails and yummy seafood. just what the doctor ordered for an overworked, stressed-out small business owner. i feel energized and ready to rumble for fall 2009.

so let's kick things off with an exciting update, shall we? i have been sitting on some big news for awhile and am so thrilled to finally share the exciting developments going on at miss pickles press. we now have an official stationery gallery/client meeting space! YAY! the studio has never been an ideal option for client meetings because, frankly, it's more of a working space and there are always bits and pieces of paper goods, shipments and orders in progress everywhere. but we desperately needed a charming place to meet with clients, discuss projects, showcase recent work and offer assorted retail goodies from time to time.

enter perfect solution: my longtime friend and fellow creative lady, ashley blencoe of ashley blencoe photography, offered up half of her photography gallery space in the super cute little city of crabapple (near alpharetta/roswell/milton for those of you local to atlanta). so our businesses now live together in one sweet little cottage. it's been a brilliant solution for both of our businesses, as they ideally feed into each other as we share clients and some marketing efforts. (speaking of, have you checked out our holiday 2009 minishoots and holiday cards? total steal if i say so myself.)

the cottage is open by appointment only, and we also plan on hosting some fab client and vendor meet-and-greets in the very near future. if you'd like to schedule an appointment, just get in touch!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

2009-09-22T18:27:00.006-04:00

i don't have any hard feelings when it comes to summer. me and summer generally get along. but around these parts, summer ain't got nothin' on fall. it's the most magical time of year (i got married last fall and am a november baby – coincidence?) and always gets me feeling cozy and ready to hunker down under a soft blanket with a cup of spiced cider. i know...so cliche.

however, in honor of the first day of my beloved #1 season, i wanted to post about some of the goodies i'm most looking forward to and love so much. break out the pumpkin spice and chai lattes, girlfriends.

{1} oversized, warm chunky knit throws. find a lovely, reasonably priced west elm version here.

{2} the smell of logs on a fire. my husband and i are avid airstreamers + campers. luckily, hubs is an overgrown boy scout so lots of blazing campfires are pretty much a given.

{3} boots, boots, boots. hello, zappos, zappos, zappos. big fan of the equestrian styles and some good old fashioned frye boots.

{4} fall fashion! hand-knit scarves and wraps. lovin' this wrap via etsy. and don't forget hats, gloves and coats. isn't that mustard cropped wool coat great? (from j. crew, available here.)

{5} delish fall comfort foods. homemade chicken pot pies with pastry crust, chili (i have a knockout low fat recipe for this that blows the roof off...err, bad pun), sweet potato casserole, and really decadent hot cocoa (sorry, no carnation instant for this girl). i actually spice my cocoa with a bit of chai powder and it's really good, if you're into chai.

{6} the sound of a high school football drum corps. i think this goes back to high school days...i can never hear a high school marching band without yearning for a crisp fall night.

{7} a sunday drive to a pumpkin patch when the leaves are turning to pick out pumpkins for halloween. and also mums for the porch, and if we're feeling like pulling our fillings out, a caramel apple for the ride back home.

{8} speaking of...halloween! as long as i can remember, halloween has been my favorite holiday. maybe it's my dramatic side coming out, but there's no other time of year adults can get away with being so outrageously ridiculous and are actually rewarded for it. i love dressing up and pretending to be someone else, even if just for a night. people who don't dress up for halloween parties are LAME. that's right, i said it. laaaaame. my halloween costume for this year might involve a snuggie, pink foam hair curlers and a box of wine. just sayin'.

{9} good (non humid) hair days and flushed cheeks. nature's beauty bounty delivers! and oh – if you want to fake your flush, you can do that with a little help from here. love this stuff.

{10} anything pumpkin. candles, bread, pie, the color, butter, lattes, you name it. gourd of the gods, pumpkin be thy name.

what are your favorite fall treats, sights, smells and sounds? do tell.

{blankets via west elm, boots by frye via zappos, pumpkin patch girl via ashley blencoe photography, spread the love custom labels via miss pickles press, wrap via etsy seller homelab, coat by j.crew}

I'M STILL STANDIN'...YEAH YEAH YEAH!

2009-09-17T01:46:00.003-04:00

laaaaaame.

i know! it's been, like, uhhh, 2 WEEKS since i've posted. shameful. just a quick scribble to announce that i have not fallen into a storm sewer and washed out to sea. JUST. SO. MUCH. GOING. ON. allow me to jot down the collective hot mess that has been the past few weeks:

- totally reorganized my studio space and it is like night and day, people. have you seen that new show on A&E called "hoarders"? i swear, i felt like my old space was like that. couldn't get out from paper whatnots and craft supplies and shipping stuff. a fruitful trip to ikea for a new workspace and some organizing help (thanks, mom) has made such a difference. CLEAN SPACE=CLEAN MIND. (well, sort of.)

- keep an eye on design sponge for a sneak peek into our home in the coming weeks! so so so excited about this. {thanks again amy!}

- miss pickles press (with ashley blencoe photography) is excited to offer some fab photo card templates for the 2009 holiday, so getting ready to launch. more on this later. i will not be one of those people who talk about christmas before halloween. boo.

- in my former advertising life as an art director, i taught advertising concepting and art direction classes at the creative circus (located in atlanta) here and there over the years. since moving back to GA in february, i've picked up the teaching gig again and continue to love it. it's end of the quarter madness, so that means grade sheets. shiny apples and flattery welcome.

- so excited to be working on small business branding with merci new york, humanstory films, and merriment events, among others. i adore helping build other creative companies. there are some very talented and inspiring folks out there!

hope everyone is enjoying the beginnings of a lovely fall. it's going to be a fantastic season!

THE C-WORD.

2009-08-28T01:30:00.004-04:00

i know. i just kind of put it out there, didn't i? but i do love cardigans. really. and for so many reasons. boyfriend, three-quarter sleeve, ruffled collar, embellished buttons, cashmere, cotton, whatever. all good. they're incredibly versatile in that they can be dressed up or dressed down. cold at the sub-arctic movie megaplex? bring along your trusty cardy. hot at the picnic? take that thang off for goodness sakes. not a fan of the 'ol upper arm area? instant coverage. you see what i'm getting at. you know how james brown was dubbed the hardest working man in show business? well, i dub thee cardigan the hardest working thing in your closet. the jack of all trades and voted best all around.

i especially love a sweet little tailored cardigan with a tea-length wedding dress. i don't know if it's because of the 50s throwback or because it's just such a sweet detail that can really keep things from getting too stuffy. perfect for a fallish outdoor casual wedding. in fact, i had a beautiful anthro cardigan for my own wedding to handsome hubs but it was hellooooo indian summer last october so i couldn't bear to wear anything that would raise my body temperature, no matter how stinkin' cute it was. but the intention was there.

i got the new j.crew catalog in the mail the other day and opened directly to a page with some a-dor-able cardigans on it. i just love them, so thought i would share with all of you. i think a few of these would be so gorgeous for a wedding. perfect for bridesmaids, too. ohhh hurry up fall!

which one is your fave? and how would you wear it?

{all cardigans available at j.crew.com. styles shown are sequin peekaboo, flutter bow and ruffled san remo.}

THE LITTLE POSTCARD THAT COULD.

2009-08-18T20:26:00.007-04:00

well, we all know by now what a nut i am over paper products. any kind of paper product. labels. cards. notepads. wrap. the whole lot of 'em. handsome hubs and i were recently in a great little store in 'nooga (er, that's chattanooga) called blueskies. it was your typical i-could-spend-an-hour-in-there kind of place. all kinds of little design doodads and fab stuff for your home. being an avid vintage travel trailer lover, i spotted the cutest little postcard with an old school retro- styled trailer on it. cute, cute. but what really topped out the cute factor was that it was made of thin wood. i've seen these before and have always thought they were pretty neat. what an extra special treat to send or receive. i mean, really, when's the last time you got a piece of handwritten mail? on wood?

a few weeks went by and i kind of forgot all about it and found it in a little gift bag today. i looked up the artist online and she has lots of others for sale in her online shop. they are all pretty dang cute. of course, i pulled some of my favorites to share with you, dear bloggees. also, because i believe in the spirit of showcasing other designers...be sure and check out these fab little finds, by spitfiregirl.com. enjoy!

AND THE WINNER IS (drumroll, please)...

2009-08-13T09:15:00.002-04:00

. . . A BRIDE IN BOOTS!

yahooooooo! thanks so much for your miss pickles press birthday wish! lady luck is surely sitting on your shoulder today, as you are now the proud new owner of some miss pickles press shwag. schaaa-wing!

please send your mailing address to misspicklespress@mac.com and we'll get your paper goodies shipped in a jif.

thanks to all of you love doves who left the kindest comments ever. they are the sweetest and i appreciate them more than you possibly know.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS PICKLES PRESS! (AND FAB FREEBIE!)

2009-08-02T12:36:00.006-04:00

hooray! i think cupcakes are in order. (umm, when are they not in order?!) life and work have been so busy as of late that i haven't really had time to just slow the pace a bit. summer is zipping by at warp speed, and among other juicy bits swirling in my mind, it occurred to me that miss pickles press just celebrated its first birthday in july! my, how quickly this year has flown.

and what a first year it's been. making the transition from full-time advertising art director to full-on designer and small business owner has been a journey filled with many long hours, late nights, lost weekends, fumbling through LLC rules and confusing tax questions (many of which are frankly, still in need of answering) and basically serious blood, sweat and tears. in a nutshell, FIGURING. IT. OUT. it's been a constant learning curve.

there is day-in and day-out responsibility (that rarely takes a weekend completely off) of every single aspect of running this business: keeping clients happy, attracting new ones, figuring out finances (oy), marketing and PR, fielding emails and phone calls and oh yes...actually doing the design work. it can certainly be overwhelming at times, but i love it and wouldn't trade it for annnnnything. (ok, maybe a life of leisure sailing the caribbean with handsome hubs. but JUST that one thing.) there are some big fat honkin' goals in place for this next year; one of them is being fulfilled in just a matter of weeks...exciting news that i'll share in just a few days. hooray! (another reason for cupcakes?)

big love to all of you for your sweet comments, your business, and just all around support. the encouragement truly keeps the train on the tracks when steam is running low. thank you, thank you, thank you!

as a little celebratory giving back, just leave a comment below and i'll pick a random winner to receive a freebie pack filled with a few miss pickles press goodies. you have until wednesday, august 12, at midnight to enter. winner will be announced on august 13! good luck!

{image via veer}

TICKLED PINK.

2009-07-28T09:48:00.003-04:00

what a lovely way to start the day. big thanks to anne marie over at weddings unveiled for this most generous write-up and serious blog love. i'm so flattered!

happy tuesday!

LEGENDARY LETTERPRESS.

2009-07-26T12:57:00.019-04:00

for years and years, i have been a huge fan of hatch show prints. they are icons of amazing vintage typography and design so distinct that a "hatch" poster looks like no other and have often been the inspiration for many an artist and designer. in fact, many well-known letterpress shops today have clearly drawn creative inspiration from the trademark style. and no wonder: a hatch show print is the perfect mix of southern sensibility, rockabilly swagger and centuries-old printing technique. hatch has produced posters for everything from country music legends, modern day rock stars, carnivals, county fairs and sausage advertisements for local grocery stores back in the day. the type is bold and graphic. the art is always interesting, if not slightly bizarre. each one feels completely unique.

for those of you not familiar, hatch show print is a world-famous printshop founded 1879 in the lovely blues town of nashville, TN. you can visit and tour the hatch shop today (located just behind the "mother church" of country music – the ryman auditorium) and even buy your own hatch prints to take home. for the design aficionado, i suspect it's kind of like a mecca of sorts for southern culture through poster design. i know it is for me. in fact, i think handsome husband and i might venture up towards nashville some day soon in the airstream and take in some local flavor. of course, we'll plan a stop at hatch and i'll spend way more than i should on posters and letterpress prints.

i've included just a few of my faves (impossible to narrow down) here for you to enjoy. some are classics and some are more modern day. aren't they just the coolest?

THE FAB 40.

2009-07-17T16:29:00.005-04:00

i don't trust people who don't like birthdays. it's the one day when everyone is allowed to muss and fuss over you and you deserve it, gosh darnit, because it's the day you arrived on this planet. i'm also a big believer in birthday parties and celebrating in style. so when handsome husband's 40th birthday was around the corner, i got all twitterpated (yes, it's a word...look it up) thinking about all the fun party paper goods i was going to create for the party. i decided to host a casual southern BBQ-in-the-backyard with pulled pork catered from jim 'n nicks (delish). throw in some adult bevvies, enough sweet tea to drown a horse, my aunt bec's famous mac-n-cheese, aunt dee's yummy baked beans, laurie's "texas caviar" and lots of other southern culinary treats and you got yerself some serious south in your mouth, chile.

unfortunately, i also find myself much like "the cobbler's son who has no shoes." you guys know this fable, right? the cobbler that makes fine shoes for everyone else in the village, but who lacks the time to make shoes for his own son? things have been so biz in the studio creating paper goods for everyone else's shindigs (parties, weddings, etc) that the time to actually make something for my OWN fete gets slighted. never one to wallow in self-pity for too long, i cranked up the printer and other crafty bits and got to work on cupcake toppers and a few other doo-dads. it's truly the small touches and little details that make a big splash. if you don't have tons of money to spend, put some time and energy into some small creative touches and it will look like you did a lot more work than you actually did. and who doesn't love that?

p.s. happy birthday, darlin'. i love you.

{cupcake platters purchased at farmhouse wares, piggy placecard holder from farmhouse wares, BBQ platter and silver silverware caddy from target, linens from TJ Maxx (my fave store), party goods from miss pickles press.}

COOKIES, PLEASE.

2009-07-07T11:36:00.004-04:00

i have a thing for old dairy logos. you know...back in the day when milk came from cows that probably lived just a few miles from your house and it was delivered to your doorstep in a cute tin caddy by the milkman? dairies had their own marks that were stamped on glass (real glass, people! not plastic!) and of course, each dairy logo was different. browse around any antique store today and you're bound to find these relics for a pretty penny. i've collected a few here and there over the years and i just love using them as flower vases. so much personality and i love a new use for an old object.

although the milkman is long gone (except perhaps way out in the country?), you can still enjoy the vintage goodness of the old-time dairy logo on these cute little 10oz glasses i found over at fishseddy. the best part? they are ON SALE for dirt cheap. just $2 a glass! they also carry them in a 14 oz size, but i prefer the smaller ones as juice glasses. or of course, a late night sip of milk. with a late night snack, naturally.

SHE'S A GRAND OLD FLAG.

2009-07-02T17:26:00.004-04:00

will keep this short and sweet, as handsome husband and i are headed out the door, with shiny airstream in tow, headed to the mountains. yipppeeeeeeee! nothin' like a roadtrip.

wishing all of you a wonderful, safe holiday weekend. we have so much to be thankful for living in this country; freedoms that people all over the world dream of. sure – there are problems. but we are a country of idealists. mom n' pops and global corporate giants. small, one-stoplight towns and the big apple. the american heart is filled with ingenuity and the promise of earned opportunity. we are dreamers, but more importantly, we are doers. it's this notion – the doing, not just the dreaming – and the freedom to pursue a life that makes one happy and fulfilled that makes small businesses just like miss pickles press tick from coast to coast.

happy independence day, y'all! back in the saddle next week.

{image via veer}

SUMMER HIDEAWAY.

2009-07-01T03:41:00.005-04:00

i don't know what it is about transforming outdoor spaces lately, but i keep getting drawn to the magical qualities of feeling like you're on another planet when you could very well be in your own back yard.

case in point: check out this cloth tent/teepee from UK designer cath kidson. what a simple idea. why settle for drab nylon when you can have a dainty cotton floral? ok, so if it rains, you might be up the creek. but i love the idea of this for a kids' backyard sleepover. or an adult away-from-the computer siesta. or a night under the stars. load up on some blankets, pillows, a lantern, books, and some tasty gourmet snacks and you have a pretty righteous low-key saturday night with your partner in crime. or lazy sunday afternoon, for that matter.

i waaaaaaaant onnnnnne. let's see, how can i justify a designer teepee in our backyard to handsome husband?

{image via country living...my new favorite mag.}

FAB FREEBIE!

2009-06-27T16:36:00.004-04:00

ok - this is a good one, peoples. do you have a crafty home project that needs some pep? a tiny guest bathroom that could use some brightening up? a craigslist bargain chair that just needs some elbow grease and fresh paint for a new, stylish life? hooray! me toooooo!

the folks at glidden (you know, glidden paints) are giving away a FREE QUART OF PAINT...any color your little heart desires. all you do is pick your color (miss pickles chose robin's egg blue) and they mail it to you. for free. no really. for free!

while a quart isn't going to cover a hallway or anything too substantial, it's a perfect amount for lots of other crafty smaller scale projects. better snap to it before they run out. and don't forget to let me know...what color did you pick?

{ via brick city love, image via house beautiful }

TARGET DOES IT AGAIN.

2009-06-27T00:59:00.007-04:00

as if i needed another reason to spend every cent in my wallet at target. as james brown would say, "good gaaaaa!". does that place do anything wrong?! (okay, aside from the smell of stale popcorn that wafts through the doors. are they piping that stuff through the vents?). target is my personal candyland of shopping goodness. i never feel (too) guilty because all-in-all things are pretty affordable. a new summer scarf for 20 bucks – why not? a multi-stripe constructed tote that works as a picnic basket/catch all – yeah, i could use that. archer farms gourmet goodies? – well, while i'm here i might as well stock up...

and then they go do this!

look. at. these. chairs. hello anthro style at target prices! any of these lovelies can be yours for $299. $299! not that 300 bucks is peanuts mind you, but for a chair with such style and clean, modern construction and design, you'd pay twice as much elsewhere. really. you would. i love how playful and colorful the prints are. not for the faint of design-heart; i think they'd really add some wham-bam to a dreary living room.

now, i am all for you-get-what-you-pay-for (my mama taught me that), and while i cannot vouch for the quality of these without seeing them in the flesh, they appear pretty well-made. from past experience, i have put major cash into a "brand name" sofa (crate & barrel, shame on you) and that thing did not hold up worth a phooey. so money doesn't always equal quality and i think the reverse can be true. if you know what to look for in terms of materials and fabrics, you can score some great deals for really reasonable prices.

unfortunately, handsome husband and i don't have a lick of space in our house for such an addition, so that means one of you is going to have to buy one of these and report back. chop chop!

p.s. i dig the orange and white one. i am such a sucker for orange.

{ all chairs via target.com, search under "upholstered chairs" }

OHHHH ETSY.

2009-06-17T09:32:00.010-04:00

oh, magical time sucker: it's no secret that i love etsy (speaking of, miss pickles press was featured on the front page handpicked gallery yesterday...hooray!). but seriously people. i can lose hours of my life just sitting and browsing through shop after shop of handmade awesomeness. when i see something i particularly love, i'll "favorite" it so i can find it again and again and again. such is the case with etsy vendor sarahseven.

her dresses are so gorgeous and so ultra feminine, but they have an edge to them and aren't too frilly. perfect for funky bridesmaids' dresses, don't you think? i especially adore the robin's egg dress with the silver skinny belt (i could live in that color) and the raspberry perfection dress. i wouldn't say they're particularly cheap (most dresses seem to fall in the $400 range) but they are custom made (no alterations!) and completely handmade.

if you are a bride-to-be, she offers some really sweet alternatives to a traditional wedding dress, especially if your wedding is a little on the unique/funky side and of the less-formal variety or a destination wedding. and they are priced WELL below what a wedding gown goes for. love that. love me some etsy.

PETITES BOUCHEES, MON CHERI!

2009-06-12T00:10:00.006-04:00

you know how you get a word or a phrase stuck in your mind and you just love saying it over and over because of the way it sounds? like...nannerpuss. {don't you dare tell me that's not funny.} that's how i feel about petites bouchees. for you non-frenchies out there, that's pronounced pe-teets boo-chay, and i just love how it sounds rolling off my tongue. aside from being, literally, a "small bite", petites bouchees is a wonderful bakery located in richmond, va., and when owner/master cupcake baker/purveyor of fattening-but-worth-it treats, veronica perez, called on miss pickles press to design some custom cupcake flags for her delish cupcakes, i was quite excited. who doesn't love anything to do with cupcakes? besides, i adore designing small, handmade items (it's a nice break from invitations, etc) and these toppers really add some design love to her already appealing goods.

veronica's treats also include made-from-scratch parisian style macarons with get-in-my-belly fillings like salted caramel and passion fruit milk chocolate. i think they're perfect for a bridal shower, a luncheon or a wedding reception. and yes, veronica ships her goodies. thanks be. i'll bet she even ships to atlanta. maybe even to my house. i should probably have some delivered just to make sure. you know, research.

KEEP CALM & CARRY ON.

2009-06-08T18:15:00.007-04:00

ok pupils, little history lesson for the day:

did you know that the now wildly popular graphic poster "keep calm and carry on" originated in pre-WWII era england as a government issued propaganda poster to soothe the masses over an impending war with germany? ah yes – brilliant design, brilliant slogan. kind of a modern day mantra ahead of its time if you ask me.

fast forward, ohhh, about 70 years and once again, this clever and timeless piece of art has been repurposed in a fresh, new way in honor of the launch of merriment events. if you haven't heard, merriment is a new event company for weddings and other social occasions based out of richmond, va. it's the collaboration of courtney spencer of little white book and emily brown lacroix, and if you ask me, merriment is headed for the big time.

courtney contacted miss pickles press a few months back to design the new branding for merriment, and i couldn't be prouder of the results! we started from the ground up and i believe really captured the heart and soul of the business. chic, festive, fun, elegant and sophisticated (but never snooty). we created a new logo, business cards, oversized postcards (which feature the keep calm graphic with the merriment festive pom in lieu of the british crown) and a spankin' new website.

so back to the keeping calm bit. what better mantra for an events company? social events and weddings are just oozing with those last minute things that can go wrong, and often times, do. even with the best planning, life sometimes has other plans in store. show me a bride that hasn't had one minor thing go wrong and i'll show you a bride who indulged in one too many pre-ceremony mimosas to notice.

unexpected rain for an april garden ceremony? good times!

a lipstick stain on your wedding dress from aunt kaye? sure thing.

a run in your hose? count on it.

the point is: keep calm. and carry on. and that's just what the best wedding and event planners do. they navigate the potential bumps along the way and make sure that your big day is just as divine and picture perfect as it should be. courtney and emily, congrats on the launch of merriment. wishing you both great success. remember, when clients are beating down your doors, take a heapin' helpin' of your own medicine: keep calm and carry on.

OUTSIDE IN.

2009-06-05T00:28:00.003-04:00

i am one of these people that firmly believes that a studio workspace can totally transform how productive you feel throughout your day. not that the paper stack on your desk will go away, mind you, nor the mounds of paper samples and bits and pieces that seem to multiply like bunnies on a mission. BUT: i definitely buy into the notion that if you surround yourself in a beautiful, functional, inspiring environment, good energy comes from that.

i always like seeing other people's workspaces. i came across this image via apartment therapy. it's a outdoor tool shed, people! and it's been totally transformed into a little work bungalow. i love this idea. of course, it looks like a few modifications were definitely made – inexpensive french doors, running electricity, etc – but i love the concept of it. is it totally practical? well, no. would i run for the hills if there were small critters (eww, i don't do critters) lurking inside from the space being outdoors? well, yes. but still. ok, and it would be hot as the dickens during the summer in this neck of the woods. blah blah, i know i know. i don't care. it is adorable and a really nice place to just kind of do your work on a beautiful day.

don't you think?

COMPLETELY COUNTRY CHIC

2009-05-26T10:47:00.010-04:00

one of my personal beliefs is that details make the difference. big, small, simple, clever, sweet whatever. and you know what? details don't have to cost a gajillion bucks – and the best ones usually don't. you can easily scrimp and save in a few key traditional pricey areas – like floral, for example. (hello costco! really, costco.) but don't you dare ditch details. they are what make the wedding world go 'round.

with this in mind, i wanted to find some small, thoughtful touches that really carry a vintage, slightly rustic but completely charming theme. i think these items (which are pretty dang affordable) would be perfect for an outdoor summer garden or down-home BBQ wedding. i am especially in big time love with the little zinc placecards. such a step up from the usual. it might get expensive for a large reception if every single guest had one, but these days a lot of people are opting for smaller, more intimate weddings with pared down guest lists. if paring down guests is not an option, they could be used more sparingly as food signage for a buffet table.

i also love the vintage zinc cake stand (great for a country chic wedding and added to my shopping cart already), the white enamel cupcake stand (perfect for the sweet garden wedding...you could also use for fruit, cheese, or any another sweets) and the galvanized pots, perfect for ANY wedding. image them filled with simple floral or anything else for that matter. take some earthy twine, loop it around imperfectly a few times and tie a custom label on those lovelies and you are golden!

{all of the items pictured via farmhouse}

THE GREAT ESCAPE.

2009-05-21T14:37:00.005-04:00

so, what would happen if beach blanket bingo met the jailbreak scene from shawshank redemption in a smoky bar and had a love child? my memorial day weekend vacation would surely be the result of such a tryst. i know, i know. huh? (no, i have not been drinking. not yet, anyway.) let me explain:

things have been so crazy busy around the studio as of late that i literally have not enjoyed a full day (much less an ENTIRE FOUR DAYS) off in forevah and evah. while i absolutely adore what i do and wouldn't trade it for anything, in the proverbial words of the late, great nell carter: gimme a break...'cause i sure could use one.

handsome husband and i are headed to the gulf coast of florida in our fab shiny airstream for a beachy memorial day weekend filled with sun, sand, wet bathing suits (eww?), suntan lotion smell, trashy mag reading, boiled shrimp and high-calorie fruity drinks. i feel like i am sneaking away on a jailbreak and will be free of my computer (which i do love, really) and mobile devices where i neurotically check emails (ok, who am i fooling?). but honestly. isn't a change of scenery enough to make you feel renewed and fresh? and especially when that scenery is aqua blue ocean? oooohh weeeee i cannot wait.

wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend. back to the blog on tuesday! au revoir!

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT.

2009-05-16T01:52:00.014-04:00

ok, folks. back into blog mode! wow. ummm, what a week. but enough about that. let's get to the goodies that were worth waiting for, shall we?

i don't think it's any secret that i'm kind of freakish about all kinds of paper ephemera. notecards, folders, cardstock, envelopes, stickers and labels. ahhh i love me some labels. and looky looky what i stumbled across via poppytalk handmade...FREE DOWNLOADABLE LABELS! and cute ones at that. i know, i know, this has been on poppytalk for a few months, so i might be a bit late to the party, but i think if i missed these beauties, you might have, too. no more excuses for bland file folders. snap to it and get thee organized!

snazzy red border labels here.

decorative utensil labels here. (perfect for a summer backyard party.)

modern no. 20 tags here.

enjoy!

ICKY SICKY.

2009-05-09T11:20:00.004-04:00

sorry for the slow blog this week, love doves. this week has been a DOOZY.

first, miss pickles herself (our beloved boston terrier, not my business, or me) has had some crazy sick problems this week. poor thing. first of all, i am a crazy dog lover. i think they're angels on earth, every one of 'em. so when i see a pup in distress it just breaks my heart in two. three-legged dogs? love 'em. blind dogs? i'll take 'em. you get the point. they are special.

we don't know exactly what's going on with miss p., but she's been having facial swelling, infection in her ear, trouble breathing, etc. two trips to the vet this week and more next week. yikes. not eating much, although i did coax her with a bowl of steamed rice and chicken (she may be sick, but she's no dummy).

on top of all of THAT drama, i came down with some flu symptoms on thursday and am still recovering. fever, aches, heavy head and the like. do i think it's the dreaded swine flu? well, no. but it is some kind of nasty flu-like bug and i hope the worst is over.

sigh. some weeks are better than others. it's been a slow work week because of all the illness 'round this joint. the good news is that i have an exciting tidbit that i can't wait to share once it becomes official. even more growth is in the works for miss pickles press and THAT is fabulous.

happy weekend, y'all. send your doggie + human healing vibes our way!

FRUITS OF LABOR.

2009-05-05T21:59:00.002-04:00

ok. you know how some veggies are actually fruits in disguise? like tomatoes? sneaky, huh? (roll with me on this...i promise i am headed somewhere worth going.) i think my broader point is things aren't always what they seem.

like...this unbelievable DIY craft i just discovered today via the adorable creature comforts blog. see all the pretty, softly muted rosettes? would you just piddle your pants if i told you that fetching gift paper rosette design was made with impressions of celery stalks dipped in paint? CELERY STALKS!

i mean seriously people. i think it's outrageously crafty and the ultimate DIY on the cheap. and i love that you can print a multitude of colors and print on a multitude of surfaces. kraft paper, canvas, wood, whatever. you could make fresh summer tablecloths, gift wrap, canvas totes...anything really. i love new uses and things that work double duty. no more will celery be relegated to bloody marys and ants-on-peanut-butter-logs (although those are pretty good).

hello veggie friend! hello art supply! hello inspiration!

{for a complete list of how to make this yourself, click here.}

GOOD WOOD.

2009-05-01T15:42:00.007-04:00

i love working with brides who take creative leaps of faith. miss pickles press recently did the design + paper goods for holly, a lovely bride hailing from texas with an eye for all things sweet and vintage. (if it looks like it was in your grandmother's attic or left in a barn for a few decades, that's a good thing.) for her guest favors (mason jars with fresh rosemary sprigs and vintage hankies at the seal...adorable, right?) she needed a striking way to let guests know that the jars were for the taking as favors. problem solved!

enter lee dayvault, owner of maple drive workshop. lee has been a good friend of mine for years and owns/screen prints vintage-inspired designs on wood, creating some of the cutest signs ever. (i have them all over my house. it's kind of, umm, a problem.) naturally, a miss pickles press design, screen printed on a perfectly imperfect distressed piece of wood was the perfect solution for holly's guest table dilemma. her colors of fresh green, orange, and chocolate paired perfectly with rustic mason jar artwork and retro lettering. it will hang on a picket fence post over the guest favors for the wedding and i've been told it's already been slated to hang in holly's kitchen post-nuptials. (how's that for recycling?!) and seriously, how refreshing: wedding artwork that doesn't scream wedding.

we had so much fun creating holly's sign; i'm excited to announce that miss pickles press and maple drive workshop have teamed up to create custom wood signs for your wedding day (or any other special event). the coolest part is that you have a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art for your home that will always remind you of your special day. hooray!

contact the studio for pricing info or to get started on your very own custom good wood. happy weekend, y'all!

TAG! (you're it!)

2009-04-29T23:54:00.006-04:00

so it seems i've been "tagged" today by fellow blogger maree jaeger photography...all the way from australia! i just love blogging and the little (well, actually, huge) community that is formed because of it. i don't know miss maree personally, but i now have a bit of insight into her life and i think that's pretty neat. so without further ado...here's a little insight into mine. (and thanks for the tag, maree.)

EIGHT THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO:

1. days when i can linger in bed and snooze with the morning light coming in

2. hitching up our airstream trailer and hitting the road in search of adventure

3. the eventual birth of our yet-to-be conceived children (is that jinxy? hmm.)

4. hitting the beach in the summertime and the mountains in the fall

5. october - best month of the year

6. holding hands with my husband

7. thai dinners

8. growing my business and fulfilling a creative dream

EIGHT THINGS I DID YESTERDAY:

1. client calls

2. social networking

3. drove over the speed limit

4. ate leftovers for dinner

5. talked to my dog

6. spent too much time in the studio (what's new?)

7. told my husband i love him

8. watched american idol (no shame! i love it!)

EIGHT THINGS I WISH I COULD DO:

1. get really excited about the gym

2. hire an assistant to manage the details so i can have more design time

3. get my studio super organized and completely unpacked

4. make things happen like samantha on bewitched

5. teleport back in time to different eras

6. be in a broadway play - perhaps "chicago"

7. travel more often and more spontaneously

8. make the "O" list (this one WILL happen, you just wait!)

{image via getty one}

IS IT FRIDAY ALREADY?

2009-04-24T10:14:00.007-04:00

where do the days go?

i've observed this neat little phenomenon called "when-you-are-busy-and-love-what-you-do-and-can't-wait-to-get-out-of-bed-and-do-it-again-the-next-day" the weeks just sail by. in my old life (and my old advertising career) sometimes it felt like the weeks just draaaaagged by. (it's only tuesday? really? are you sure? i could have sworn i have been working for TWO MONTHS STRAIGHT).

it's different when you own your own small business. and all the old cliches you hear about working harder than you ever worked "for the man" are true. but the major difference is that if i have to stay up 'til 3 AM working on a custom invitation or cutting out a bajillion hang tags for guest favors, i truly do it with a smile on my face. and that is a liberating thing.

working hard for your own success will always always always beat out working hard for someone else's. that, my bloggy friends, is the lesson for today. happy weekend!

{image courtesy of beth retro on flickr}

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW...

2009-04-20T23:29:00.011-04:00

i'm a sucker for the details. when i got married to handsome husband, i was all about said details and accessories. the birdcage veil. the champagne shantung silk for the dress. the handmade flower and fascinator for my hair. and THE NECKLACE.

i knew i wanted something that felt a little different than the usual wedding garb and it needed to be bold, too. i also liked the idea that it could be my "something blue" and if it was vintage (that was the overall look i was going for), well, even better. can you say score?

meet uber talented maryellen kim of twist style. her handmade necklaces are to die for. seriously people. perfect for your wedding, bridesmaids, or just something fab to dress up a spring outfit. many of the pieces in her lovely creations are sourced from vintage forgotten beauties (hello, something old?) she picks up at flea markets and yard sales. often times she'll add a splash of freshwater pearls to dress things up a bit (something new?). but they're never "stuffy" pearls...she weaves them on gorgeous silky knotted thread so even the dressiest of necklaces have a certain earthy hand-crafted look. i love her work – it's so different from so many things out there and she has a real knack for putting together great color. i especially dig her hues of soft aqua and mint green. so retro. she even allowed me to piece together my own custom creation for my wedding day. truly one of a kind. so much in fact, that once a piece is used in a custom creation, it's gone! i've picked out a few of my favorites to share with all of you, but she has way more here.

the only thing my necklace won't ever be is something borrowed. it's mine all miiiiiiine, so keep yer sweet little paws off.

OH, FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER.

2009-04-17T17:18:00.004-04:00

show me a beautiful, hearty paper with gorgeous cottony texture and i'll show you one happy pickle. (not that, you dirty thing. but i like where you're going.)

ahhem. i've just finished some wedding invitations for a lovely, crafty bride and man, i just dig it when things come together. dana (handsome-husband-to-be) and ono of sew ono wanted something earthy with natural, subtle shades of mossy green, ivory and ecru. we designed a custom monogram which lives on the invitation and RSVP card. invitations were printed on a 110# cottony felt cover and the results are just GORGE. and how's this for clever: her RSVP is a petite postcard that separates off the bottom of the invitation so guests just drop those lovelies in the mail (and no extra envelope for those concerned about paper usage). here's a sneak peek...more to come. don't want to steal ono's thunder until guests receive them.

happy friday, y'all!

I WANT CAAAAN-DY!

2009-04-14T02:29:00.004-04:00

while i have been known to enjoy certain sweet sugary-shelled temptations from time to time, (reeses pieces, what?) today i speak of the daily internets variety, a.k.a. daily candy. you've heard of daily candy, yes? it's that daily web cornucopia of what's hip or hot or fun or goin'-on-in-yer neck-of-the-woods that manages to be always relevant and stylish and just plain fun to read. the folks at D.C. sure know how to pick 'em. that's why i was thrilled when i got a call today with the excellent news that miss pickles press was going to be written up in the spring wedding 2009 guide. YAAAAAY. i just love unexpected surprises and good PR is most definitely always a welcome surprise. love that!

ART DECO STRIKES AGAIN.

2009-04-10T01:40:00.003-04:00

amidst a spring season full of fuzzy chicks, cadbury eggs (ummmm, cadbuuuury eggggs) and neon colored peeps imported from gaaaaa knows where, i gotta say...i find this "easter" image, via found images at cardstore.com so dang refreshing. so sophisticated! look at her, all deco and fabulous and puttin' on those roaring 20s eyes. not that's there anything particularly wrong with bunnies and chicks, but methinks this smooth operator adds a little sass to the easter grass. don't you?

A MODERN TWIST ON A CLASSIC.

2009-04-06T11:49:00.002-04:00

monday, moooonday...naaa naaaa naaa naa naa naaaa....

here's something to start the week right: my good friend nikki of max and finn creates these beautiful silhouettes and i think they are just perfect for a modern (yet enduringly classic) engagement or wedding portrait. instant keepsake. or think about them on personalized stationery or thank you notes. napkins. labels. so many creative ways to showcase them!

i believe they are offered in classic black, but i think they would be fabulous in a variety of custom colors to completely match your personal palette. get in touch with max and finn for pricing and more details. and get ready to get your old school prim and proper on.

TURN...THIS MOTHA'...OUT!

2009-04-02T01:07:00.006-04:00

i heeeeaard that!

this week has been crazy pickle town getting ready for theknot.com party at the W hotel tomorrow night. miss pickles press was contacted to create some lovely finishing touches for the event and let's just say it has been a cupcake topper, drink stirrer, napkin and coaster sweatshop up in the studio this week. good thing i adore the little details and making things by hand. thought i'd share a sneak preview of some of the custom goods created especially for the event. hello, limoncello!

p.s. miss pickles press offers custom paper and party goods for weddings, social events and your cousin's sister's BFF birthday party, too. but you knew that, right? so if yer hankerin' for some, get in touch with the studio.

p.p.s. all the images that look really delish are courtesy of kristen alexander. thanks kristen!

LET IT RAIN!

2009-03-27T12:29:00.007-04:00

so, i am sourcing some rice paper parasols for a wedding client of mine (and personal friend, the fab miss mony love, no, she is not a drag queen although her nickname sounds like one). so perhaps i am in an umbrella state of mind. or maybe it's because it's been rainy here ALL WEEK. either way, i got umbrellas on the brain, and while doing some sourcing, i came across this site called bella umbrella. (super cute, no?)

oh my! LOOK! these lovelies are available for rental or purchase, but i hope you have some serious cash 'cause they ain't cheap. but totally doable for a bridal party. imagine having each girl pick her own style in your color choice. or mix and match a few colors for something a little more eclectic. i love that they are vintage and come in such a variety of shapes. some with ruffles, some a little more modern, some with stripes.

i'll tell you this – if i were getting married (again) and it was a summer wedding (which would never happen because i would melt) i would totally rent umbrellas for my bridal party from this place. what a great idea. kind of a fresh take on the paper parasol.

p.s. wouldn't that orange ruffled number make any rainy day better? i think so.

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION.

2009-03-26T16:18:00.014-04:00

i find that there are endless, constant things to do when you own a small design business. keep track of client needs, manage a production calendar, actually do the design work, and constantly seek opportunity to keep new clients coming in the door and money in the bank.

i received a phone call a few weeks ago from a local wedding planner, ashley baber, of ashley baber weddings. she is planning theknot.com's wedding industry party here in atlanta next thursday, april 02 at the W in buckhead. turns out they needed some snazzy paper goods to add some finishing touches to the party. as you can imagine, i was pleased as punch to help out and contribute some fantastic goods. in addition to some fabulous advertising and media i'll get from the knot for helping out, i'll have the chance to stuff 250 goodie bags with a miss pickles press promo card. that's a lot of PR in the hands of industry people i might not normally meet.

oh wait.

i don't have a miss pickles press promo card. err.

until noooooooooooww!!! (hello 4 am bedtime last night. honk shoo!)

i love how versatile this will be. it's a great little piece to place in outgoing orders, send to potential clients, or even leave a handful at a local paper boutique. my test for any kind of promotional material is "would i stick this on my fridge or my bulletin board?", and the answer must be YES for anything with the miss pickles press name on it.

hooray for shameless self-promotion!!! it's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it. (besides my mama.)

SPRING LOVE!

2009-03-24T13:11:00.004-04:00

oh my goodness.

i am such a sucker for all things paper. (errr, ya think?) and i love the charm of old japanese prints and delicate rice paper. LOOK AT THESE! aren't they gorgeous for an outdoor spring dinner party? i am in love with them. they are from a website that caters to the trade, so you have to order in larger quantities. but still. i wouldn't mind a large quantity of these beauties.

MISC-N-SUNDRY

2009-03-10T01:35:00.006-04:00

so, i have, like, all of two seconds to post. things are BUZZING like you would not believe over here in the studio. i truly do believe in the notion of feast or famine when it comes to work, and honeychiles, it's a cornucopia of feasty goodness right now.

BUT.

i had had had to post this divine jewelry. i believe these pieces are from banana republic, (i could be wrong about the little delicate one) although i went to the BR site and could not find them anymore. but man, aren't they stunning? i admit to a slight addiction for chunky, bold pieces in vibrant colors, but that that teal multi-strand chunky number is a heart breaker.

more on the way - there are so many fabulous jobs in progress that i cannot wait to share, including an austin ranch wedding that will make you weep it's so fabulous, a charming vintage-styled backyard wedding near dallas (let's hear it for texas brides!), a lovely "green" wedding in upstate NY, a birth announcement with major style (teddy bears and hearts? er, no thanks), and a custom wedding monogram for caroline of tealengthtulle that's simply retro-tastic goodness. i'm also excited about a special project that's still under wraps - but let's just say that southern brides are gonna love this one.

oh wow - speaking of southern brides - did you guys see the incredible blog post on southern weddings last week? the lovely ladies of SW featured my farm wedding and gave some great press to miss pickles press. big thanks for such an awesome write-up.

p.s. the move went well. we are still unpacking boxes and living in general unorganized disarray, but it feels good to be a georgia girl again.

CHANGE IS GOOD

2009-02-13T09:53:00.002-05:00

ahhh yes. the joys of moving. handsome husband and i are packing up our house and moving to georgia in just ONE week. yikes! can i tell you how much i loathe packing? but let me count the ways i love moving!

i think it comes down to change. simple as that. change is invigorating. motivating. essential for growth. i crave it. i've noticed a weird pattern in my life where i pick up about every 2-3 years (in my post-college adult life) and move somewhere. and then i get bored and start itchin' again. now that i am a missus and have someone else to consider, i don't think we'll be hauling our crap across america every two years, and i feel like the move to georgia might be a little more long term. although just the other day handsome husband asked me where we moving after georgia. (does he know me or what?!)

it's been hectic, trying to manage miss pickles press projects and finish off our lives here in virginia for this last countdown of days. the goodwill man that sits out by the donation truck surely knows me by now...i am purging "stuff" like mad. i think that's another positive point about moving. it really forces you to look at your loot and determine what's worth putting inside a box, taping it up, labeling it and moving it hundreds of miles. as a designer, i have a tendency to save stuff – like inspiration things – bits of paper, a magazine clipping, a photograph, a swatch of fabric. the key is organizing these things in a manageable, organized way.

whew. wish me luck!

WHY DO ALL THE GOOD ONES GO?

2009-02-03T16:29:00.003-05:00

first it was blueprint. now domino.

what is happening to all of my favorite mags? yes, i am admittedly a few days behind posting this little tidbit, (i have an excuse, i was out of town scouting out the new house handsome husband and i will be residing in in just a few weeks) but MAAAAAAN. domino??? really? and magazines like "celebrity hairstyles" and "cat fancy" stay on the shelf. go figure.

domino did feature some pricey loot, but i always found it a great inspiration mag full of great ideas, off-the-cuff color suggestions and a whole lot more.

you'll be missed, domino! au revoir!

ODE TO TECHNOLOGY

2009-02-03T16:07:00.003-05:00

for you, dear blog reader, a tuesday technology haiku:

cables and wires

should make things really easy

computer is mean

ahh yes. i'll be the first to admit, i'd be a hopeless mess without my mac and various tech addictions. i love the things they do for me. how they make life more efficient, more fun, more organized, more resourceful (remember doing terms papers from encyclopedia britannica? i do!).

BUT...

when something doesn't work the way it should, it drives me batty. in efforts to make the wedding inquiry process more streamlined and efficient, i created this handy little inquiry form that folks can download from my site. it's got all the pertinent info in a PDF auto-fill format – perfect. i tested the hell out of it to make sure there were no bugs or weird glitches before making it "live", and felt like i finally had a really good way to collect event information in a standardized way. turns out, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. and that means it's no good. i can't have something that works part of the time. i had a bride contact me today and asked if i had received her form. ummm...no. she was nice enough to check in, otherwise i never would have known she sent it. and that's horrible. now i am wondering how many brides have submitted info and just assumed i never got back in touch? ahh, good times.

the form is coming down from the site until i can figure out what's wrong. and if you are a bride that has contacted me in the past few weeks and not heard back, please accept my apologies. i am not ignoring you and do get back in touch!

somedays, i feel it's hard to beat a good ol' pen and paper. right?

DESIGN FOR ALL, AND THEN SOME.

2009-01-16T16:18:00.004-05:00

ooooohh, miss pickles loves design for the people.

and design that looks like a million bucks, but is only, say $12.99.

everyone's favorite designer of retro-cool, orla kiely, is launching a collection at TARGET (as if i don't love that place enough as it is) in february. i do like some things better than others, but i am a big fan of the office storage stuff and the cute trays. perfect for appetizers, breakfast in bed, keeping unruly magazines in order and just general goodness.

hooray for good, affordable design!

HELLO, 2009!

2009-01-14T15:41:00.002-05:00

first post of the new year...oh, only 14 days into it. gheesh. gotta do better than that. i do have two pretty good excuses – handsome husband and i were in mexico for 5 days (i know, a shame, right?) and i've been wrapping up my agency job. OH! and house hunting in atlanta for our mid-feb big move. yeeeaah. busy times.

my goal for the next two weeks is to get a few things updated on the site. i've noticed that it's probably going to be helpful to have some sort of price list, even if just a ballpark, so potential clients can see from the very beginning if custom design is a good option for them. it's not uncommon for folks to expect template pricing (meaning, it's already been designed and ready to buy) for custom work. don't get me wrong: custom work is wonderful. but it's also very time and labor intensive and created JUST. FOR. YOU. so yes, it is going to cost more than something off the shelf! i wish i could financially accommodate every project and budget that comes in the door but dang, mama needs new shoes, ok? okaaaaaay. (more like, mama needs to pay the car payment.)

2008: THE YEAR THAT WAS.

2008-12-22T19:48:00.004-05:00

wow. hard to believe what a whirlwind this year has been. as if getting married to my handsome husband was not enough, 2008 was the year that miss pickles press was born.

oh, she's been around for quite some time, lurking in the recesses of my mind. i conceived the idea for what i wanted the business to be years ago, but was too "stuck" in my advertising job and just needed to spend a few more years doing that before i could have ever been ready for THIS. ever since the doors (proverbially) opened, it's been a fantastically busy journey with many, many learning curves. i am still learning. every day. i suspect it's always going to be a growing thing: finding more efficient ways to do things, better suppliers for this or that, streamlining things for clients to make projects as smooth as possible. these are all big goals for 2009. in addition to getting distribution in select retailers across the country. THAT'S a big goal.

i get sentimental when i reflect back on this year: i think of starting a new chapter in my life as a wife, closing a chapter in my former career in advertising (how much you can love something and hate something at the same time still puzzles me), and the pure joy and excitement of building miss pickles press to even greater heights in the coming year. i don't know if it's possible to beat 2008, but 2009 is looking pretty dang good.

NEW HOLIDAY PAPER LOVE

2008-12-03T16:04:00.013-05:00

yep. it's that time of year when the holiday cards start coming in by the truckload (actually, miss pickles and her handsome husband received their very first one yesterday, thankyouverymuch barbara!). oh, and you know the ones that have that irridescent glitter on them? i despise those. because after you touch it – even for a microsecond – that glitter travels everywhere. like, a week later someone will look at me funny and say "are you wearing glittery eyeshadow?" or "what's that sparkly thing on your nose?" and it occurs to me that it was THAT CARD and THAT GLITTER. ugh.

on a more positive note, you can buy some smashing holiday beauties from miss pickles press! i am jamming trying to get everything printed in time for the handmade holiday show next weekend, and will likely have a limited run, so get them while they're available. your friends and family will be tickled to receive something that doesn't look like everything else on the shelves. and i promise: no glitter.

getting in the spirit,

miss pickles.

CSA IMAGES

2008-11-25T22:26:00.004-05:00

oh! how i love CSA images and french paper company. french paper company is a family owned paper mill that's been around for ages, and they're pretty progressive in that they've been "green" well before anyone even knew what that meant or cared. if you have never heard of them, do yourself a favor and check them out. i love the bold and liberal use of color, the odd and slightly weirdo visuals and just the overall fantastic and quirky sense of humor of the company. i really appreciate a company that doesn't take itself too seriously.

they have a line of items that are actually for sale called popink and i drool over the wrapping papers and soaps (i l-o-v-e the soaps! why? i have no idea.). i've been considering ordering some of their envelopes for a while now to coordinate with some miss pickles greeting cards but they are so dang expensive and don't offer any wholesale pricing. boo. maybe i will bite the bullet and just go for it. the mod-tone line is to die for.

sigh,

miss pickles.

CREATIVE BRIDES: LOVE 'EM, LOVE 'EM.

2008-11-24T10:42:00.003-05:00

so the past week has been quite busy over here at miss pickles press. i've been flooded with inquiries and i am so excited about so many of them. one creative bride (who shares my love of tea length tulle) is getting married at a 1920s era amusement park (how stinkin' cool is that?) and another is getting married overlooking the beach and wants a vintage beach theme - i immediately thought of that beautiful victorian "by the sea" art, like those old postcards from seaside resorts from the turn of the century. or the artwork on old salt water taffy boxes.

another bride is doing a fall wedding with a reception in a barn. (now y'all know i love me some barns. i would live in one except for the massive drafts, and hay, and well, all that horse manure would be bothersome.)

yet another bride shares my love of vintage type and her color choices are divine.

another lady is throwing the most fantastic birthday party for her husband and wants some custom invitations – she's planning a down home pig pickin' - what a great idea! that's one party i'd love to attend. fiddle dee dee.

YAY for folks who want something a little different and don't go for the same old stuff. you make me haaaaappy when skies are greeeey.

PROPS.

2008-11-17T22:15:00.003-05:00

greetings! it's been a good networking week or so over here at miss pickles press. i continue to be fascinated with the viral phenomenon of online PR and marketing, and blogs (just like this one) really can be a fantastic way to network with other designers/potential

clients/customers/planners/etc and help each other out. it is truly a community and i love being a part of it. yay for blogging.

case in point: just within the past week or so, the fabulous wedding inspiration blogs little white book and snippet & ink blogged about a miss pickles wedding, and i am super excited to be guest blogging for the lovely once wed later this week. i adore each of these blogs and constantly am inspired by the offerings and daily musings. so thanks to each of you. big internet love props.

VINTAGE AD LOVE!

2008-11-10T09:32:00.008-05:00

i am such a nerd. i love looking at vintage ads because there's always neat typography and interesting color. and it's just plain fun to see how times and trends have changed. case in point: i found this little nugget for sprite online and immediately grabbed it. i just love it. the color, the kitschy type...it just looks like the happiest little six pack of effervescent goodness, yes? (that's a big word for 9:30 a.m., people.)

it would make a great oversized graphic poster for a kitchen if you scanned it in at 300 dpi and had it printed somewhere. how's that for a monday morning idea freebie?

OK, I ADMIT IT.

2008-11-08T15:23:00.003-05:00

the past few months at miss pickles press have been crazytrain. (no, not like ozzy – "aaai aaai aaai"!) but more like so many custom orders it's been dizzying. don't get me wrong. i ain't complainin'. it's been great. just a little overwhelming. plus, with the wedding, things just got all sorts of jumbled up. the sad result has been that my miss pickles website has been neglected for months! tsk, tsk. i have not even had time to update the site with new jobs and other fab pretties.

well, all of that came to a head today. with the holiday season approaching, i had to put an end to the shameful madness and get in that thar site and give it some love. i still have to get my ready-to-buy products finished, printed and posted, but i did some general TLC and things are looking much better.

i also added a new page for miss pickles weddings, which i am thrilled about.

hooray for progress.

xoxo.

miss pickles.

MORE WEDDING CRAFTY GOODNESS!

2008-10-31T09:35:00.008-04:00

hi folks! i came across a few more images of some favors and small design details from the wedding – all designed and created by miss pickles weddings. it's these sort of small, thoughtful, designed details that i personally feel really go a long way towards a totally fun and fabulous wedding that your guests will remember. who wants jordan almonds when you have pumpkin butter???

enjoy!

p.s. these images courtesy of martha manning for missy mclamb photographers. martha shot my wedding and was seriously wonderful. great attention to small details and she really captured the spirit of the day. thank you for your amazing work, martha! we loved having you at our big day.

MISS PICKLES WEDDINGS

2008-10-24T11:59:00.012-04:00

i always knew when i got married i would want to do things my own way. the thought of having someone else design all the lovely things i knew i'd want never crossed my mind. so when handsome husband proposed, my mind instantly started crafting and plotting and planning all of the crafty goodies i'd be getting myself into. (and yes, i was totally excited about marrying the love of my life, but this is a craft blog people, not a romance novel. oooooohh rooommmance novels.) anyway.

the wedding was october 5th, on a farm just outside of atlanta, and it was smashing. truly. i did go a little nutsy on making things, but it was all worth it. i got so into it, in fact, that miss pickles press is going to expand and add miss pickles weddings in the coming months. there are brides out there that don't want the same cookie cutter wedding, and often times the smaller details can really add a big visual punch without being crazy expensive. miss pickles weddings will offer wedding paper goods (invitations, RSVPs, etc) along with guest favors and other delicious wedding design.

i've attached some images from my own wedding for you to have a look-see at. i designed the invitations, all guest favors (pumpkin butters, yum), cupcake toppers, cutlery envelopes, ceremony programs, bridesmaid gifts, gift tags, s'mores packets...you name it. we had a BBQ reception with a bluegrass band, so i wanted all the crafts to reflect a "barn" and "fall in the south" kind of feel.

enjoy! and do let me know if you are a lovely bride-to-be or know of one that would be interested in her very own distinctive miss pickles wedding.

GOOD MORNING, I GUESS?

2008-10-24T08:33:00.009-04:00

ugh. i have never been a morning person. ever. but the thing is, i really envy people who are. i love the person that springs out of bed, enjoys a cup of coffee while morning light streams through the kitchen window (wait. maybe that's just in foldger's commercials?) and gets a "jumpstart" on their day. me? not so much. i will stay cocooned in my blanket burrito until the very last second, when i can no longer avoid joining the rest of the waking world.

this morning i got up with my alarm (instead of snoozebuttonville) because there is just SO MUCH TO DO for miss pickles press. i am participating in the richmond craft mafia handmade holiday market this christmas, and while i am super psyched about it, i need major inventory. and that means more designs to offer and printing. i have four weeks to pull it together and get to the printer. godspeed!!!